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The Spring 2026 QUALPOR newsletter —  QUALPOR News  —  is here! This issue offers readers a strong and healthy mix of QUALPOR news and events, original thoughtful articles written for the newsletter by QUALPOR members, AAPOR conference program updates, and links to qualitative research workshops, training, and opportunities. Original Articles Written by QUALPOR Members “Breaking Bread” and “Circling Back” When Researching

In this enlightening conversation, Josette Mandela speaks with Kai K. Fuentes, a leader in multicultural market research, about the importance of financial confidence and understanding diverse voices in financial decision-making. They explore Kai’s journey from a shy child conducting interviews to a successful business owner, emphasizing the significance of budgeting,

“The first mistake people make is not hiring the people who look like who you’re trying to talk to.” In this episode, Kai Fuentes, President & CEO, Ebony Marketing Systems, joins host Zontziry “Z” Johnson, Founder, MRXplorer, to unpack what culturally aligned research really requires. They discuss why moderator–respondent alignment

Insight250 celebrates, champions, and connects the world’s leaders and innovators in insights. Now in its fifth year, the Insight250 Awards recognize the pioneers, visionaries, and change-makers shaping the future of market research, data analytics, and evidence-based marketing worldwide. Spanning academia, enterprise, agencies, technology, media, and associations, the Insight250 provides a

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta interviews the President and CEO of Ebony Marketing Systems, Kai Fuentes. Kai discusses the importance of cultural sensitivity, creating space for authentic storytelling, and building trust in research. Kai also reframes research as a relationship, not a transaction. She emphasizes

Our President and CEO Kai Fuentes recently wrote for Quirk’s Magazine on how ‘less is more’ when conducting interviews, in the article, “How a measured, respectful approach to interviewing yields more insights.” Kai discusses the importance of allowing respondents to have space to formulate responses. As moderators we need to

In the recent episode of the She Leads podcast with Adrienne Garland, titled “Inspiring Positivity Among Women and Underserved Communities with Kai Fuentes”, our President and CEO shares how replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is crucial, especially for women. Inner work and healing significantly can help in the growth

Do surveys make good bedtime stories for kids? It worked for Ebony Marketing Systems President & CEO Kai Fuentes! Kai is a second-generation market researcher. While many of us were running around causing trouble as kids, Kai was helping her mom’s family business by stapling surveys and even intercepting respondents

Our President and CEO Kai Fuentes joined The New Mainstream podcast to discuss how the market research industry can benefit from intentionally cultivating and championing diversity and inclusion. Beyond focus groups, greater diversity is needed across the market research industry. Often, diverse teammates doing the work—running the data tables and